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20 Mar 2025 14:19
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  •   Home > News > International

    Thousands march on Netanyahu's home to demand he quit over continued war in Gaza

    The Israeli prime minister is facing fierce protests over his decision to launch fresh strikes in Gaza, shattering the ceasefire in the strip.


    Thousands of Israelis have marched through the streets of central Jerusalem to set up camp outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's private residence, venting their anger at his decision to return to fighting in Gaza.

    Protesters gathered on the outskirts of Jerusalem on Wednesday morning local time, before walking to the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, and onwards to Mr Netanyahu's home in the leafy suburb of Rehavia.

    Armed with banners, drums, loudhailers and air horns, the march shut down major roads and caused traffic mayhem as it snaked its way through the city under the gaze of a heavy police presence.

    Mr Netanyahu's private residence, a short walk from the Israeli Prime Minister's official residence, is on Azza Road — anglicised as Gaza Road — a somewhat fitting location given the criticism of his handling of the war in the strip.

    "The situation in the country is very terrible," protester Ori Biran told the ABC.

    "Our government is corrupted, and we think we should come here in protest … we don't want violence and we don't want corruption in the country.

    "We believe that every action from the beginning of the war is caused by [Benjamin Netanyahu] and that's his fault, and we believe that he needs to be replaced."

    The protest was organised prior to Mr Netanyahu's decision to launch fresh strikes on Gaza in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and came as a result of his decision to try to sack the head of Israeli's domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet.

    The list of grievances against the prime minister and his government was lengthy.

    The renewed fighting in Gaza was front of mind for many, particularly given the threat it posed to the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in the strip — 59 in total, 24 believed to still be alive.

    Protesters chanted that the Prime Minister had the blood of hostages on his hands.

    Mr Netanyahu stands accused of being beholden to loud right-wing voices within his coalition, who have been agitating for a return to war in Gaza.

    Among them, the controversial politician Itamar Ben Gvir — who quit the government and his post as National Security Minister in protest over the initial ceasefire deal in January, and was welcomed back into the fold hours after Israeli strikes resumed this week.

    "His own views are illegitimate, should be illegitimate in any democratic society, and he's now calling the shots," another protester Ohad Milch said, wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan "FCK BNGVR", referring to right-wing politician Ben Gvir.

    "He has he leverage over the Prime Minister, because he knows he can bring down his government."

    Mr Netanyahu has rejected accusations he is using war to shore up his own political fortunes.

    "To those who criticise Israel, I ask, what would you do if terrorists murdered and kidnapped your children?" he said on Tuesday night.

    "You would do what we are doing.

    "In the face of pure evil, free societies have no choice but to fight."

    Hours after the march, Israel announced it had sent ground forces back into Gaza.

    The Israel Defense Forces said they had taken control of half of the Netzarim corridor — a stretch of land running from Israel to the Mediterranean, which had cut the north of Gaza off from the rest of the strip a the height of the fighting.

    Israel had withdrawn its forces from the area weeks after the ceasefire came into force.


    ABC




    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

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